France
The vast and diverse wine regions of France, each with its own unique terroirs, grape varieties, and winemaking techniques, are a treasure trove.
In Bordeaux, the birthplace of some of the world's most iconic wines, esteemed vineyards such as Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, and Château Haut-Brion produce exceptional red wines, showcasing the art of blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The region is also renowned for its exquisite white wines, with vineyards like Château d'Yquem and Domaine de Chevalier producing legendary sweet wines.
Moving to Burgundy, the vineyards of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, and Domaine Armand Rousseau capture the essence of the region's revered terroir, crafting exquisite red wines from the Pinot Noir grape. Meanwhile, Domaine Leflaive and Domaine Coche-Dury are celebrated for their world-class white wines, predominantly made from Chardonnay.
The Champagne region, known for its sparkling wines, boasts illustrious houses such as Krug, Dom Pérignon, and Moët & Chandon, as well as grower-producers like Pierre Péters and Jacques Selosse. These vineyards create exceptional sparkling wines using the traditional method, offering a symphony of delicate bubbles, elegant flavors, and vibrant acidity.
In the Rhône Valley, iconic vineyards like Chapoutier, E. Guigal, and Château de Beaucastel produce remarkable red wines in the northern appellations of Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Cornas, showcasing the elegance and power of Syrah. Further south, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is celebrated for its rich and full-bodied red blends, with Château Rayas and Clos des Papes leading the way.
In Alsace, vineyards such as Domaine Zind-Humbrecht and omaine Trimbach craft exquisite white wines, including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris, expressing the region's unique terroir and varietal character.
These are just a few highlights among the diverse array of wines that France offers. From the Loire Valley's crisp whites and elegant reds to the Languedoc-Roussillon's bold and robust wines, each region presents its own vinous treasures.
France
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (VN) | HK$2,375.00 | |||||
Vinous (97)Lurid ruby. Hugely perfumed, mineral- and spice-accented red berry liqueur, cherry-cola incense and garrigue qualities on the sharply delineated nose. It offers vibrant, palate-staining cherry preserve, Chambord, boysenberry, floral pastille and Moroccan spice flavors that show uncanny energy for their depth. The spice and floral notes dominate a strikingly long, sappy finish framed by silky, finely polished tannins. |
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Rhone | 1 | 95-97 (WA) | HK$3,695.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (95-97)More finesse-oriented than the blockbuster style La Colline release, the 2015 Gigondas le Lieu Dit is another Grenache-dominated wine that comes from a cooler, late parcel of sandy soils located just beside the estate. Notes of strawberries, raspberries, crushed flowers, kirsch and spice all emerge from this full-bodied, utterly seamless, pure and gorgeously balanced beauty that doesn’t have a hard edge to be found. It will drink well for 10-15 years or more. |
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Rhone | 2 | 97 (JD) | HK$2,480.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97)Coming from a sandy parcel just beside the winery and all old-vine Grenache, the 2018 Gigondas Le Lieu Dit makes the most of this vintage and is a classic example of this cooler terroir. Gorgeous notes of kirsch liqueur, rose petals, strawberries, spring flowers, toasted spices, and peppery herbs all give way to a full-bodied, beautifully textured, elegant Gigondas that has a wonderful sense of finesse, classic southern Rhône power and richness, flawless balance, and a great finish. It’s one of the wines of the vintage. While it’s not the biggest wine in the lineup, it has incredible finesse and elegance. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (JD) | HK$3,185.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (100)The 2019 Gigondas Le Lieu-Dit is as good as it gets – hats off to the young Julien Brechet for one of the finest Gigondas ever made. Coming from a cooler, sandy terroir next to this estate and all Grenache, it was 70% destemmed and spent 18 months in used demi-muids before being moved to concrete tanks prior to bottling. A Grand Cru Red Burgundy-like array of wild strawberries, framboise, flowers, sappy green herbs, and spice all emerge on the nose. This is followed by a seamless, full-bodied, incredibly pure Gigondas that’s more about finesse and elegance than sheer power. I love it today, yet it has the balance, as well as structure, to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for two decades if stored properly. |
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Rhone | 2 | 96+ (JD) | HK$2,365.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (96+)All Mourvèdre brought up in old demi-muids, the 2018 Gigondas Le Plateau is a stunning example of this variety that does everything right. Classic Mourvèdre notes of blueberries, mulberries, new leather, lavender, and ground pepper give way to a full-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant 2018 that has stacked mid-palate, flawless balance, silky tannins, and a great finish. It shows more tannins and structure with time in the glass, so give this beauty 2-3 years of bottle age, it should have 15-20 years of overall longevity. |
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Rhone | 1 | 96 (WS) | HK$3,465.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (96)This shows a prominent leather-wrapped and cassis-soaked rosemary flavor profile, while bitter cherry and plum fruit notes make a bid for attention. The finish is paved with warm stone and smoldering garrigue accents, along with a long, lingering tobacco edge. A Bandol-esque version of Gigondas. Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache and Clairette. Best from 2025 through 2040. |
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Rhone | 30 | 93-95 (VN) | HK$2,420.00 | |||||
Vinous (93-95)Opaque ruby. Displays deeply perfumed black and blue fruit aromas with suggestions of smoked meat, succulent flowers and baking spices. Shows excellent depth and energy to its juicy cherry, blueberry, licorice and bitter chocolate flavors, which are sharpened by a spicy suggestion of black pepper. Firmly gripping tannins frame a very long, spicy finish that echoes the cherry and floral notes. |
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Rhone | 30 | 96 (JD) | HK$2,420.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (96)Always not destemmed, the 2022 Gigondas Le Plateau just about jumps out of the glass with its spice, wild, floral and exotic Mourvèdre character. Red, blue, and black fruits, game, peppery garrigue, and violet notes all give way to a medium to full-bodied, broad, layered, structured 2022 that, while it largely offers pleasure, has two decades of prime drinking. |
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Rhone | 5 | 98 (JD) | HK$1,480.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (98)Based on 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, the tiny production 2022 Gigondas Le Regard Loin is gorgeous, and I think it’s the standout in the lineup. Black raspberries, ground pepper, sappy flowers, and spice are just some of its nuances, and it's just about perfect on the palate, with full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and ultra-fine tannins. I love it today, but this beauty will cruise for two decades. |
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Rhone | 1 | 95-97 (WA) | HK$2,480.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (95-97)There's no doubt that this cuvée is among the very best Syrahs bottled in the Southern Rhône. The 2018 Gigondas les Routes (from a vintage that favored Grenache) is perfumed and floral, with prominent violet notes joining hints of potpourri, garrigue and licorice. Blueberries and mint appear on the full-bodied palate, which delivers concentrated fruit flavors without any sense of excess weight, finishing long, lively and silky. |
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Rhone | 30 | 95 (JD) | HK$2,410.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (95)The 2022 Gigondas Les Routes is another Hermitage look-alike with its leather, gamey blue fruits, fig leaf, and graphite aromas and flavors. Richly textured and medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's a rich, concentrated, yet also weightless Syrah that has so much to love. |
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Rhone | 2 | 95 (DC) | HK$1,640.00 | |||||
Decanter (95)The original blended Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas is now available in two cuvées: Font des Bosquets (young vines, shorter ageing, no oak) and Réserve (older vines, 14 plots vinified separately including fruit from the top single vineyard sites, maturation in different types of oak for 18 months depending on the variety). The result is an extraordinary exercise in elegance, beautifully silky tannins and deeply vinous fruit. This is long, shapely and tapered with depth, freshness, elegance, and a seamless character. If the alcohol was marginally better integrated this would possible score higher. It's quite an expressive, almost showy wine, but it will be excellent when it's ready. Not as strongly characterful as each of the single vineyard expressions, but better balanced, and more quintessentially Gigondas. In organic conversion. |
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Rhone | 8 | 95 (DC) | HK$1,480.00 | |||||
Decanter (95)A full-bodied, harmonious blend, not quite as aggressively concentrated as his single-vineyard wines this year. Very tannic still, and well balanced despite its enormous size. Long finish, saturated with thick, fine tannins. The oak is quite prominent for now, but there's enough fruit to match it. Will be good when it's ready. 70% destemmed, then vinified plot-by-plot. The Syrah is aged in recent-use (but not new) barriques, the Mourvèdre in old barriques and the Grenache in larger barrels (mostly old) and concrete. Then the wine spends six months in concrete tanks after blending. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$3,155.00 | |||||
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The Croix Beaune Bressandes Rouge 2009 epitomises the artistry of Burgundian winemaking. Crafted in the renowned Beaune appellation, this exquisite red showcases a meticulous vinification process. Hand-harvested Pinot Noir grapes from the esteemed Bressandes vineyard undergo a gentle fermentation in stainless steel vats, preserving their delicate fruit nuances. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, the wine gains a harmonious balance of silky tannins and vibrant acidity. The 2009 vintage benefits from a perfectly cool growing season, allowing for optimal grape maturation and complexity. Produced by Domaine Croix Beaune, a family-owned estate with decades of heritage, each bottle reflects their unwavering commitment to quality and terroir expression. On the palate, expect layers of ripe cherry, subtle earthy undertones, and a lingering, elegant finish. The Croix Beaune Bressandes Rouge 2009 is a testament to fine Burgundy, ideal for discerning connoisseurs seeking depth and sophistication. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$3,010.00 | |||||
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The Croix Beaune Bressandes Rouge 2012 is an exquisite manifestation of Burgundy's timeworn mastery in winemaking. This fine Pinot Noir is hewn from the historic vineyards of Beaune Bressandes in France's heartland, a terroir famed for its impeccable, mineral-rich soils. Domaine de la Vougeraie, the revered producer, is noted for its organic and biodynamic practices, impeccably infusing centuries of winemaking tradition with modern sustainability. The maturation of this distinguished vintage occurred over 14-16 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which were new, adding a balanced resonance to the flavour profile. Upon savouring, one is treated to a gourmet symphony of ripe cherry, plum, and subtle spice notes, enriched by an underlying earthy complexity. A perfect embodiment of the vintage's remarkable quality, the Croix Beaune Bressandes Rouge 2012 shows an elegantly balanced acid structure, silky tannins, and an enduring, sumptuous finish. A truly splendid, quintessentially French showcase of sublime winemaking artistry. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$1,035.00 | |||||
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Drawing deeply from the rich heritage of Burgundy, Croix Beaune Bressandes Rouge 2015 is an expression of refined elegance and distinctive character. This exceptional Pinot Noir hails from the ancient sun-drenched slopes of Beaune's Bressandes vineyard, known for its extraordinary terroir. Grown on calcareous-clay soils and crafted by Domaine Croix, a reputable name in the Burgundy wine panorama, this red wine encapsulates a sense of place like none other. The Croix Beaune Bressandes Rouge 2015, matured for 18 months in French oak barrels, offers an exciting bouquet of black berries, ripe red fruits, and discreet spicy notes. Well-structured and opulent, it embraces the palate with juicy tannins and lingers in the mouth with its stimulating finish. This fine wine is suitable for long ageing, unveiling more complex, earthy undertones over time. Experience the benchmark of French viticulture with the Croix Beaune Bressandes Rouge 2015. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 87-89 (VN) | HK$845.00 | |||||
Vinous (87-89)The 2013 Beaune Grèves comes across as a bit compact and not as expressive as the other wines in the range. There is good depth and energy in the glass, along with expressive inflections of dark-fleshed fruit. A relatively high amount of CO2 masks some of the wine's personality today. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$3,695.00 | |||||
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Tucked within the Burgundy's prized Côte de Beaune, the Croix Beaune Tuvilains 2019, from the sacred plots of Domaine Croix, is a fine testament to the opulence of the 2019 vintage. This Pinot Noir is grown in limestone-rich soil and harvested in small, meticulously manicured parcels to preserve the integrity of each grape. Its vinification in traditional Burgundian open-top wooden vats, followed by ageing in French oak barrels, ensures a harmonious balance between fruit and oak nuances. A sip of Croix Beaune Tuvilains 2019 reveals complex layers of ripe red fruits, elegantly underpinned by earthy notes and a subtle spiciness. The wine's delicate tannins and balanced acidity make for a seamless finish, capturing the essence of French wine-making sophistication. The impeccable craftsmanship of winemaker David Croix indubitably shines through in this vintage, making the Croix Beaune Tuvilains 2019 an invincible selection for the discerning wine lover. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - | HK$2,820.00 | |||||
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Croix Beaune 1er Cru Les Tuvilains 2022 exemplifies the pinnacle of Burgundy winemaking. Nestled in the esteemed Les Tuvilains vineyard in Beaune, this Pinot Noir is meticulously crafted by the renowned Domaine Croix Beaune. The 2022 harvest benefited from a harmonious climate, allowing for optimal ripeness and balanced acidity. Hand-picked grapes undergo traditional fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by aging for 18 months in French oak barrels sourced from local cooperages. The terroir, characterized by limestone-rich soils and gently sloping vineyards, imparts an elegant complexity to the wine, revealing notes of red cherries, subtle earthiness, and fine tannins. The meticulous attention to detail during vinification and ageing ensures a refined and expressive wine, perfect for discerning palates seeking an authentic expression of Burgundy’s premier cru offerings. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95 (VN) | HK$24,130.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)(two barrels produced, vs. a normal eight): Bright, pale yellow. Vibrant aromas of lemon gelato and wild herbs. Very complex, pure and refined, boasting an utterly silky, seamless texture to its intense citrus peel, fresh herb and mineral flavors. Really outstanding inner-mouth energy here, followed by a slowly mounting finish that saturates the taste buds. A great wine in the making, but not for drinking anytime soon. (I found the 2017 version a bit juicier and fruitier, and there will be ten barrels of the younger vintage as the crop level was generous.) According to winemaker Frédéric Barnier, 2017 has more sweetness as a vintage, but while the '17 Chevalier-Montrachet is round, opulent and tasty, the '16 is extremely pure, fresh and linear, and will expand with time in the cellar. But even today it's silky, tactile, edge-free and extremely long. |
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